U.S. Soldiers, Jordanian border guard build partnership
 
  By Sgt. Youtoy Martin, 19th Public Affairs Detachment
  **JORDAN (Feb. 9, 2016)** **—**The Jordanian Border Guard and Soldiers with 5th
Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, completed five weeks of combined training at
the Jordanian Border Guard Training School, Jordan, Jan. 20. Over the duration of the training, Soldiers of B Troop, 5-4 Cavalry, worked
side-by-side with members of the Jordanian Border Guard to build comradery and
increase proficiency on various small-arms weapons through classroom training
and live-fire exercises. 
"Our entire team has enjoyed working with the border guard," said
Sgt. Ryley Campbell, a section sergeant with B Troop, 5-4 Cavalry. and a
Paxton, Nebraska, native. "Through basic interactions and training, we
have built more of a brotherhood with them." 
Since arriving in Jordan, the 5-4 Cavalry Soldiers have had many combined training
opportunities with the Jordanian Armed Forces and the Jordanian Border Guard.
They have taken part in advanced individual training, small-arms squad-level
training, mortar qualifications, a sniper course and a border protection
course, said 1st. Sgt. Timmy Bullock, the first sergeant of Headquarters and
Headquarter Troop, 5-4 Cavalry. 
Supporting an exercise at the Jordanian Border Guard Training School was one of
the key combined events of 5-4 Cavalry's partnership program and a way for them
to work closely with their Jordanian counterparts. 
"It is a big thing for the Jordanian Border Guard, since they have been
approved to operate as a school," said Bullock. "The base used to be
operated by a colonel, but has been approved to operate as a border guard
training school with a brigadier general now in charge."
"It's like going to Ranger School for Army Soldiers," added Bullock.
"For new border guard members who graduate and leave with certificates,
they reflect on the experience and completion of training alongside U.S.
Forces."
According to Campbell, one of the unit's missions is to strengthen the
partnerships with other militaries and promote regional security and stability.
Combined training exercises with allied partners is one methods they use to
bring that goal to life.
"I feel that our mission here, training with the Jordanian Border Guard,
is probably the most important thing in our squadron," said Campbell.
"Sharing the knowledge we have helps strengthen their borders and our
partnership."
The last week of the weapons training gave U.S. Soldiers and the Jordanian
Border Guard the opportunity to train together with the M240 and M60 machine
guns. The Soldiers practiced disassembly and reassembly of the weapons and how
to properly engage targets with them.
The final day of the course gave the participants the chance to experience the
full capabilities of the weapons as they engaged targets with live-rounds and
worked on their shooting proficiency and communication skills.
A graduation ceremony following the live fire exercise marked the end of the
training and recognized the hard work and skills of the border guard trainees.
During the graduation, Col. Hasan. S. Al-Da'jeh, the deputy commandant of the
school, thanked everyone for their hard work. He discussed the role of the
border guard, the training the graduates went through and its meaning to
Jordan.
"As border guards, the security of this country is our
responsibility," said Al-Da'jeh. "We secure the border of this
country, which is the most important chain of security to this country. As long
as the border is secure our country will stay secure. The challenge that we are
facing in this region is we will be responsible to keep this country safe and
secure."